I have been up to Tunnel 13 a couple of times in the past two weeks and was able to document the work being done up there by photographs. The mountain is very unstable and I tip my hat to the men who are risking it all to rehab the tunnel. In two weeks, they have experienced two cave-ins! I'll post what the photo(s) depict under the photos. I hope you guys enjoy them: This photo shows a typical scene of the damage (see the charred timbers) and cave-in within the bore. Remember, the tunnel is 20 feet high above the rails and 15 feet wide; This photo shows a "mucker" at work within the bore. Material is passed on to a large high railer dump truck and then is taken outside the tunnel and dumped. I have a pic of that operation in my album. What looks like snow is actually dust particles. Workmen must wear dust masks. The method used in an attempt to rebuild the tunnel is to remove about half of the upper level of debris ... ... Then build a frame using braces of case hardened steel ... ... on top of this steel frame, workers stack 4x4x8 foot sections of styrofoam up to the original top of the tunnel to support the loose material above. Shafts have been drilled from above the tunnel and a mixture of foam and concrete are forced into the void(s) above the large blocks of styrofoam. When the material has dried, the blocks of styrofoam is removed and steel "slats" are welded longitudinally into place over the top and sides of the frame to lend support to the ceiling. Next, the mucker moves back in and carefully removes the rest of the debris on the floor. The crew then attach the large steel beams along the walls to support the upper frame. More steel "slats" are welded longitudinally along both sides of the wall. This entire structure is then sprayed with a concrete-like material to line the tunnel. It's a very tedious and dangerous method of work. They are moving forward at approximately 8 feet per day (on a good day) and it is estimated they have about 800 feet to go to completely clear the tunnel of debris. I was told because the composition of the mountain is mainly volcanic ash, when there is a cave-in the debris absorbs the moisture in the tunnel, which causes the debris to "swell up" to about 4 times its original mass which in turn makes the soil compact in the bore. At the north portal of the tunnel, there once was a small town named "Siskiyou", complete with stores and houses built on the side of the mountain. There was also a turntable, roundhouse and a locomotive shop. I have some photos of what is left of the town, and some of the equipment and material being used to repair the tunnel in my album. There's nine photos there beyond what I posted here. You can find my album here: http://www.railimages.com/gallery/billkillion Hope you have enjoyed this article. [ 27. September 2004, 15:09: Message edited by: Ironhorseman ]
Looks like material for a magazine article... When they finally get this done. What a project! How did they seem to be doing for progress? At least better than previous contractors? But not done before winter? Was thinking they'd be using a more traditional style of mining mucker. But the shovel looks (backward print?) more for today's normal external excavating? Boxcab E50 [ 27. September 2004, 18:15: Message edited by: BoxcabE50 ]
Excellent pictures of a tricky operation, Bill. They are really going to a lot of trouble (and expense) to reopen the tunnel, so I guess it must be a "needed" railroad route?
Bill, thanks for publishing those. It sure looks like a lifetime career job. And to think that some irresponsible dolt started it all.
Bill, Thanks for the pics and explanation, what route is this on? If my memory is correct its on the UP?
Thanks guys Boxcab ... they are making slow progress. The photo showing the "mucker" was scanned up side down and I flipped it over. Must have flipped it on the vertical axis by mistake. Alan .. yes, this route is the old original California & Oregon RR over the Siskiyou mountains in southern Oregon, just north of the California border. The tunnel was opened in 1887. So far, they have over $10 million invested. Paul .. First was California & Oregon RR over the Siskiyou Route; then Central Pacific, then Southern Pacific which leased the line between Springfield, Oregon south to Black Butte (Weed), California to Railtex. Railtex extablished the Central Oregon & Pacific Co. (C.O.R.P.). Later on, Railtex sold the CORP to RailAmerica who picked up the lease in the deal. The tunnels were constructed for short, low clearance cars, so the large freight cars have to go around to and from Klamath Falls via Black Butte or Springfield.
Geez, What is the Seismic activity in that Part of the Cascades? I wonder what happens is there's a little 1.0 quake in the area?
A 6.0 south of San Jose Yesterday, plus it looks like Mt. St. Helens is getting ready to erupt again. Between this and the Hurricanes I'm wondering if it isn't time to get to a confessional.
It is??? By chance do you have a web site link for more info? I recall the first big burp. What a mess! The ash really made all modes of travel to the east/northeast side a disaster. BN locos looked like they were frosted with their dusty coatings. Boxcab E50
Yoho .. Tunnel 13 is located in the Siskiyou mountain chain. The Cascades are far to the east of this site .. but, you never know what's gonna happen around here.
Hmm, I was under the impression that the Siskiyous were part of the Cascades and the coast range. Sort of a bridge. There's the Siskiyou-Cascades national forest or something right? Volcanic Basalt and so forth? In either case, I wouldn't assume that the area was entirely stable. As for Mt. St. Helens, WORST ERUPTION EVER! www.usgs.gov www.katu.com
I always thought the Siskiyous were more part of the Coastal Ranges. Even if so, there's plenty of potential seismic activity in those mountains. I guess Mount St.Helens did have a tiny burp the other day. Compared to 1980, barely newsworthy. But I do wonder of the timing. Is something building along the Pacific Plates? I hope the repairs ongoing in the tunnel will help keep it stable in at least small quakes. Boxcab E50
This morning it says to expect more.....of the same. What will BNSF/Weyerhauser do? As for the Siskiyous, it was hard for me to tell, because there's no real lowland between them and the Cascades. Hense why the Sisikyous and to a lesser exten the Shasta route are the way they are. They both end up at the foot of Mt. Shasta which is most assuredly part of the Cascades. Ugh, I can't talk about this anymore, it makes me upset that I didn't get a chance to explore southern Oregon more when I lived in Portland. Both in terms of Railroading and generally. [ 02. October 2004, 16:52: Message edited by: YoHo ]
I spoke with the site foreman this afternoon and he estimates that there's still about 600 feet to go. Slow process remains the extent, but it calls for caution for safety.
It may be slow progress, but it's more than previous attempts. How many feet per day do they seem to be making? Or, did they have a wild guesstimate for completion? Boxcab E50
Four to eight feet per day. But they experienced another cave-in last Thrsday which will set them back a couple-three days
Just as an update of progress ... I went up to the tunnel on Friday and spoke with the engineer in charge. He related to me that they made a little over 60 feet that week and were now in approximately 1900 feet from the north end. The tunnel is open approximately 850 from the south end. The engineer told me that they should be encountering some steel supports that were in the tunnel before the fire, which he believes will contain an open space between the two ends. He told me that if there are no major problems that come up, they will have it cleared out in six weeks!
At least they're making some progress. How many feet remain to be cleared? Once the muck is gone, what additional work will be necessary to shore it up permanently? Boxcab E50
